Cebu Pacific Air launches first long-haul route to Dubai

Cebu Pacific Air launches its first long-haul flight from Manila to Dubai. It is the first Philippine carrier to land in Dubai in 15 years. Celebrating the event are (left to right); Porvenir Porciuncula, Deputy Executive Director, Civil Aeronautics Board; Mohamed Anaqbi, Second Secretary and Consul, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific Air President and CEO; Honorable Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, USEC of Legal, Department of Transportation and Communication; Captain Beda Badiola, Deputy Director General II, CAAP; and Jose Angel Honrado, General Manager, MIAA.

Cebu Pacific Air, has launched daily flights from Manila (MNL), the capital of the Philippines, to Dubai (DXB). This is a route that Emirates already serves with three daily flights. This is the airline’s first true long-haul service, operated by its recently delivered A330s. Airline President and CEO Lance Gokongwei said during the flight launch ceremony, “When you, dear guests, land in Dubai later tonight, it will be aboard the first Philippine carrier to land in Dubai in 15 years. We proudly carry the Philippine flag in this historic moment. When we say we fly to where Filipinos are, we mean it. This was our mindset when we launched our first international flight to Hong Kong in 2001. This remains our mindset as we launch our 22nd international destination now.” Cebu Pacific’s 47-strong fleet is comprised of 10 A319s, 27 A320s, two A330s and eight ATR 72-500 aircraft. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 15 more brand-new A320s, 30 A321neos, and four A330 aircraft.